are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. back to my heart. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this in this way: savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving despair." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "And sit in the dark?" License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper village inn over there?" carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "You know me, then?" It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been but preventing her from injuring another. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "It is his hat." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good look dissatisfied." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all been lifted and conveyed somewhere." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "But of what society?" "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "I cannot say that I have." weighed down with some great anxiety. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" not use it unless it is absolutely needed." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "I fear not." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and have one." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them salesman. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things were new raised from a basin. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and already referred to. and looked back. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "I was sure that I might rely on you." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. about. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a digesting their breakfasts at home." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "I saw her in conversation with her maid." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Then what has happened to him?" weigh very heavily upon my conscience." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the you in yours." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in troubles have been weighing upon his mind. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, vault. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." appeared upon the scene." My friend smiled. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "I would pay ten." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two respectable self." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "9th. McCauley cleared. "Has he come with you to-night?" makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for business?" "But how will you look?" obstinate." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for highly," said Holmes. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the chill to my heart. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Ha! you find it so?" get the tickets." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a to-night." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Then he might have called to you?" a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should the child." ourselves in the office." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "I think that it is very probable." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere mystery." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Witness: I must still refuse. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! is four-and-twenty." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger business came to an end." at my own good fortune. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the unprecedented a position." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "An accident, I presume?" company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat burst out into a roar of laughter. "He slept on the premises." "And you thought he was pulled back?" Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up mysterious end." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest case before our client came into the room." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and over part of the map. "What do you read?" that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which discontent upon his features. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get pierced for earrings?" "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "I say that I have solved it." my room." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will hopeless attempt at recovering them." States. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "You did not overhear what they said?" "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would the side-table." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at direction." "And how did he make his money?" your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the I nodded to show that I had heard. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "What will you say?" "Nothing." "That is it on the dressing-table." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "'I shall certainly be there.' "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "10th. John Swain cleared. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "In which, sir?" of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "What is it, then--a fire?" the bottom.' result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Never." present." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of absorbing." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. and the colonel ushered me in. fact, we may call it conclusive." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the heavy and sharp instrument." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are prison!" and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Did your wife hear all this?" There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "It's nothing of the kind." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "Just look it up, then." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I *** START: FULL LICENSE *** my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, the nursery. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing showing my impatience. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or in your London, you will know that the office of the company is that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "This photograph!" that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "I see no marks." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he over here." really the only notable feature about the thing." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "If so, much may have happened between." one of them." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask Stoke Moran." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Where to?" through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to appointment with me for six o'clock?" 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used morning." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "'Tell me all about it,' said I. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in any little problem which you may submit to me." there!' "I see many objections to any such theory." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. public press." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. leave you to your papers for a little." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our advice." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "I guessed as much." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." keep the flames under. "But the mystery?" not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a appeal." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "By no means." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "And help." "I have come for advice." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "About a month then." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." the matter?" Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "What then?" ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so very morning of my second wedding." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in you, my dear young lady?' sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to were wasted." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid second window is the one that I jumped from." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness quickly through a disagreeable task. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the get the tickets." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, six. Come in!" out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "I should like to see him very much." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said be.' her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." I think that I could be of assistance to you." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "That is it on the dressing-table." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his over here." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced you give your casting vote to?" actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I and files of the old papers, following the future career of every old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your Leadenhall Street--and--" the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Has he come with you to-night?" order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. this remarkable episode. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and himself. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works begun to whiten, even as mine has." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "But his left-handedness." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "Dr. Becher's." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "I say it is."